The Palestinian Authority is planning to open a duty-free shop in
Jericho, a senior Fatah official said Tuesday.

The official, Muhammad Shtayeh, told the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news
agency that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has approved the project,
adding that its profits will support a fund for students in refugee
camps in Lebanon and underprivileged areas.

Shtayeh added that details of the project will be submitted to the PA
cabinet for approval.

The shop will be set up in Jericho, at the Palestinian Authority
arrivals and departures hall for the Allenby Bridge crossing at the
Jordan Valley, according to Ma’an.

Shtayeh said the shop will sell merchandise like cigarettes, perfume
and chocolate initially, and later electronic goods will be
introduced.

The PA has continuously attempted to deny any Jewish connection to
Jericho.

Elsewhere in the Jordan Valley, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad
recently inaugurated a new PA construction project, despite the fact
that it is located in an area under full Israeli control.

The project is a water dam that is located in Area C, which falls
under full Israeli control. Fayyad said he will not wait for Israeli
permission to allow him to develop the Jordan Valley, stressing
that “this is our land and it is our natural right to develop this
area and to serve our people living here.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has clarified that Israel will not
leave the Jordan Valley, regardless of whatever final status
agreement is made with the Palestinian Authority.